A pilot light is a continuously-burning flame that might be found in your furnace unit. These are uncommon among modern units, as they are highly inefficient. The alternative is either a hot surface ignition or an electronic intermittent ignition. Electronic intermittent ignition furnace units operate by using electric currents to ignite this fire only when it is needed.
Hot surface ignition furnace units eliminated the need for flame altogether by instead using an electrically-heated metal surface. Annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE, can be used to determine whether or not your furnace is meeting efficiency standards. This number works by comparing the heat your unit produces and the energy it consumes to produce that heat to calculate a percentage of energy that becomes heat. The higher levels of production and lower levels of consumption will lead to a higher percentage.
The highest AFUE rating available is So when is it time for a furnace replacement? Taking the AFUE furnace efficiency rating into consideration, if you are using a dated furnace unit, it might be more cost effective to replace than it is to save.
Consult a furnace professional to determine the cost of repairs compared to the savings a newer unit could provide. The best way to tell whether or not your furnace needs service is to have it inspected regularly by a professional. This can ensure that your furnace is clean and working before an issue arises. Regular maintenance can also help keep your furnace performing efficiently and extend the lifespan of your furnace unit. These furnaces are designed specifically for milder zones and are more efficient than standard furnaces.
Heat pumps are also a good choice for this climate because they save on energy costs and work best in areas where the temperature never reaches below 40 degrees. Cold and Freezing Climates: The rest of the U. As such, furnace efficiency standards in these areas will be stricter. Furnace type Gas furnaces represent the most popular type and come in three forms: Single-Stage Gas Furnaces: A standard single-stage gas furnace features a gas valve that opens and closes.
The gas flows at only one rate: high. Two-Stage Gas Furnaces: A two-stage gas furnace can adjust the flow of gas from low or high for better efficiency. Modulating Gas Furnaces: This type of gas furnace regulates heat the most precisely of all the gas furnace types. It is ideal for colder climates to regulate room temperatures efficiently and evenly. Also available are electric and oil furnaces: Electric Furnaces: While not as economical as gas furnaces, electric furnaces are still popular. They heat air by moving it over electric coils and distributing the warmed air throughout your home.
Oil Furnaces : These furnaces are best for homeowners who do not have access to other types of fuels. Fuel source Gas is the most popular fuel source because it is readily available and usually the least expensive. Size Installing a properly sized furnace is the key to heating your home. Furnace Reviews When deciding where to buy a furnace, check reviews through Consumer Reports and the Better Business Bureau to see how customers respond to problems and complaints.
FAQs How much does a new furnace cost? Which is the best furnace to buy? Our Gas Furnace Buying Guide has comprehensive details. It is a measurement of how much heat produced by the furnace is transferred into your home. Furnaces with a second heat exchanger do a better job of transferring heat before it escapes your home.
The advantage of a gas furnace is that it is affordable, reliable and gives you efficiency options. Gas furnaces have little downside.
In warm climates, heat pumps have higher equipment costs but lower energy costs. Gas furnaces cost about the same as oil furnaces. They are less expensive than wood furnaces and more costly than electric furnaces. Here is a list containing most brands:. Best Use: Climates where temperatures drop below 50F for much of the winter.
They are the best furnace option in the coldest climates — providing gas or propane is available. This can be quick. The main difference between an oil and gas furnace is fuel. Perhaps that is obvious. The Census Bureau survey results showed 6. These furnaces are fired by home heating oil. Operation is the same as with gas furnaces, but the burners offer just 1-stage performance in most models. A few 2-stage burner models are manufactured. How the furnace heats a home is the same. An igniter heats up, the burner valves spray heating oil into numerous heating chambers, and plenty of heat is produced.
Again, it is pretty simple. Performance features are improving to, so indoor climate control is getting better with each generation of oil furnaces. The downside is that oil furnaces cost more to operate than natural gas furnaces. They cost more than electric furnaces but cost less to run. Many mainstream heating and air conditioning brands make oil furnaces. There are important oil furnace specialty brands too. Best Use: Oil furnaces are the best fit for furnace replacement of an oil furnace.
They are found in about 4. Large electric coils heat up using resistance heat technology. When the air created is hot enough, the furnace blower pulls in cool air, heat is added to it, and warmer air is blown into your home.
There are very few options. Some electric furnaces have low and high settings, which means either one set of heaters or both heaters will be in use.
All the heat they make is pushed into the home. However, the cost to make that heat is costly — typically produced in coal-fired power plants. Electric furnaces are inexpensive compared to other furnace types. And they last a long time — 17 to 25 years. If you rarely need heat, then a cheap electric furnace is a good choice. The disadvantage is the lower efficiency of an electric furnace. They are not a good choice where heating is required throughout the cold months.
These furnaces require less maintenance than other types. Using more energy, they are less ecofriendly than most furnaces.
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